A family trip to Nepal when she was 14 had a huge impact on World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari. She couldn't wait to get back on the road and took off solo as soon as she could.

This travel experience became the ideal apprenticeship, providing her with an intimate knowledge of the people and geography of Nepal and India. She met her husband on these early travels and spent months in Kashmir with his family before returning to Australia and work.

This year, World Expeditions marks its 40th year. Badyari lives in Sydney with her husband and two sons.

You gave a speech in South Africa earlier this year about the changes in adventure travel over the past few decades. Key points?

Technology and economics are the two major drivers of change. The internet has had a profound impact on the travel industry, providing a platform to almost anyone to sell services, revolutionising communications and putting travellers in touch with each other. Our increasing wealth [in Australia] and the comparative accessibility of air travel means more people are travelling, so the market is increasingly diverse, ranging from high-end African safaris and European culinary tours to exploratory walks in the remote Himalayas – and everything in between.

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Adventure travel is all about pushing out boundaries. We use adventurers like Tim Cope, Tim Macartney-Snape, Robin Boustead, Greg Mortimer, Sorrel Wilby and Simon Yates, to name a few, to guide our tours. They are inspirational for their achievements in travel and exploration. Other experts like chef Peter Kuruvita and scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki have pushed the boundaries in other areas. All have passion and enthusiasm – and it's this that makes them sought-after escorts.

Most memorable trip?

I'd have to say my first trip with my family when I was a teenager. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of travel and gave me the confidence to take off on my own. So many experiences in my life have led on from this. I think my life would have been totally different without it.

Favourite people to travel with?

My husband and sons, although it's getting harder with the boys' increasing work and study commitments. We try to do an incognito trip every year as a family, which is a great way of learning about new destinations, and trialling new itineraries.

Most regular destinations for work?

Nepal. Kathmandu every year. I stay at the Radisson Hotel in Lazimpat (the new wing is fantastic) and play in the outlying mountains. I love to eat at the Annapurna Hotel and Fire and Ice pizzaria in Kathmandu. In Christchurch, where our New Zealand cycle company is based and stay with a friend. It's always about the experiences the locals love: great walking in the hills behind the city and plenty going on with the city's rebuild.

I'm often in Alice Springs to catch up with our Australian guiding team and get my annual star-gazing fix. I stay at Nick's Camp, one of the permanent campsites on the Larapinta Trail; it's just 15 minutes from Alice. Dinner is always something slow-cooked in the coals.

London is another frequent destination to visit our UK branch and attend the annual World Travel Mart. I stay at the Alma Hotel in Wandsworth Village (they do a great breakfast and live music in the adjoining pub). It's close to our office. I explore London by bike using London's bike network. Berlin is another city I love. I stay in Kreuzberg in an Airbnb apartment and run along the canals in the mornings before people are about.

And for pleasure?

Kashmir, my husband's homeland, so we get there regularly. Mountain environments are my greatest pleasure, given trekking is my passion.

Best tip for immediate stress release when you can't get on a plane?

I'm a runner. When I'm office-bound, I go for a run at lunch time around the Sydney Botanic Gardens most days and find it's a great way to de-stress from work.

TRIP EXTRAS: My joggers and running gear. I love to run in the mornings in new places as a way to get to know the lie of the land.